Optical connector improved in mountability without an increase in number of components

Abstract

In an optical connector having a housing defining an area surrounding a connection axis of the optical connector, the housing has a pair of slits spaced from each other and defining an elastic portion therebetween. A protruding portion protrudes from the elastic portion outward in a radial direction of the housing. A mounting portion is faced to the protruding portion with a space left therebetween.

1. An optical connector having a housing defining an area surrounding a connection axis of the optical connector, the housing comprising: a pair of slits spaced from and adjacent to each other and extending parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the connection axis; an elastic portion defined between the slits; a protruding portion protruding from the elastic portion outward in a radial direction of the housing; and a mounting portion faced to the protruding portion with a space left therebetween. 
   
   
     2. The optical connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed near the protruding portion in a direction parallel to the connection axis. 
   
   
     3. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the protruding portion has a slope inclined so that the height from the elastic portion is increased towards the mounting portion. 
   
   
     4. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the protruding portion has a tapered surface formed at a portion near the mounting portion. 
   
   
     5. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing has a polygonal cylindrical shape with a plurality of side walls, the slits being formed on at least one of the side walls. 
   
   
     6. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing has a rectangular cylindrical shape with four side walls, the slits being formed on the two side walls among the four side walls which are faced to each other, respectively. 
   
   
     7. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed on an outer surface of an intermediate portion of the housing in the direction perpendicular to the connection axis. 
   
   
     8. The optical connector according to  claim 2 , wherein the mounting portion is a plate-like portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the connection axis. 
   
   
     9. The optical connector according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a splicing device disposed inside the housing and on the connection axis for assisting optical connection; and a holding member connected to the housing and holding the splicing device. 
   
   
     10. The optical connector according to  claim 9 , wherein the splicing device comprises a ferrule holding portion for holding two cylindrical ferrules used in connecting optical fibers, the ferrule holding portion being adapted for splicing the two cylindrical ferrules to each other. 
   
   
     11. An optical connection adapter comprising: a housing defining an area surrounding a connection axis of the optical connection adapter; a splicing device disposed inside the housing and on the connection axis for assisting optical connection; and a holding member connected to the housing and holding the splicing device, the housing comprising: a pair of slits spaced from and adjacent to each other and extending parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the connection axis; an elastic portion defined between the slits; a protruding portion protruding from the elastic portion outward in a radial direction of the housing; and a mounting portion faced to the protruding portion with a space left therebetween. 
   
   
     12. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 11 , wherein the splicing device comprises a ferrule holding portion for holding two cylindrical ferrules used in connecting optical fibers, the ferrule holding portion being adapted for splicing the two cylindrical ferrules to each other. 
   
   
     13. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 11 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed near the protruding portion in a direction parallel to the connection axis. 
   
   
     14. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the protruding portion has a slope inclined so that the height from the elastic portion is increased towards the mounting portion. 
   
   
     15. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the protruding portion has a tapered surface formed at a portion near the mounting portion. 
   
   
     16. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the housing has a polygonal cylindrical shape with a plurality of side walls, the slits being formed on at least one of the side walls. 
   
   
     17. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the housing has a rectangular cylindrical shape with four side walls, the slits being formed on the two side walls among the four side walls which are faced to each other, respectively. 
   
   
     18. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the mounting portion is disposed on an outer surface of an intermediate portion of the housing in the direction perpendicular to the connection axis. 
   
   
     19. The optical connection adapter according to  claim 13 , wherein the mounting portion is a plate-like portion extending in a plane perpendicular to the connection axis.